The Last Days and Blatantly Immoral Leaders
"This know also that in the last days perilous times shall come." - 2 Timothy 3:1
These are the last days; perilous times - not only in terms of unprecedented incidences of new diseases, disasters, and wars (see "Complex problems in a modern civilization") - but also in the religious realm.
The term, "last days," as used in the Bible reference above refers to the period of time just prior to Christ's second coming. And the signs clearly show we are there.
Imagine a gay minister confirmed as bishop. Let me make haste to state clearly that God loves every sinner (John 3:16). None of us is sinless (Romans 3:23). But the Bible lays clear principles and guidelines especially for those who take the responsibility of leadership in the church (Titus 1:6-8).
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"How it will affect our church..." - the misguided concern Most of the concerns regarding the inappropriateness of electing an openly gay church leader centers around the effect it might have on the church. This is a puny cause for worry. A good PR program may restore the name of the church but will NOT find favor with God. The concern should be whether such decisions meet heaven's approval - and sexual immorality, be it by bishops or laity, does not. We are, in deed, in the last days. |
One wonders how a defender of Bible principles can openly practice the opposite. The Bible is clear in calling homosexuality sin.
- Genesis 19 - God sent angels to get Lot out of Sodom. On this mission, the angels appeared as men. As they tried to engage the heavenly beings in sadomy, the Sodomite men were instantly made blind by the angels.
- Romans 1:22-28 - Paul decries those doing what is sexually unnatural.
- 1 Corinthians 6:9 - "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders."
Look at verse 5 of Genesis chapter 19:
They called to Lot, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them." (NIV)
Lot rebuked the men, and even offered his daughters instead. They would have none of that and continued their pursuit of the visitors.
This act was so abominable, so terrible, that they were met with instant blindness.
The Bible clearly names the homosexual as one who will "not inherit the kingdom of God." Also, liars, murderers. It means that those who do not repent of any or all of these sins will go to hell.
How will a homosexual bishop preach that part of the Bible to his/her followers? Doesn't this seem like making a mockery of heaven's principles.
God does not change His principles. (See Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8).
In 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Paul lists nineteen sins that will be prevalent in the last days, and sexual immorality, including homosexuality, is one of them.
No one can be mistaken now that we are indeed living in the last days just before Jesus returns. You know that is true when (even) those who are supposed to be delivering the reprimand and the warning, are themselves advocating the sinfulness by their blatant example.
We must realize that sin does not become a righteous act because it is accepted by a majority - sin is sin because it misses the standard set by the sinless God.
We may remember stories of ministers caught in sexual immorality before. Those who have truly repented are forgiven by God. Those who are brazenly asking God to bless their sin need to try to know Him better. He will not even hear their prayers (Psalm 66:18).
Whatever the sin, be it environmentally or genetically 'motivated' - if there are such conditions - we need to accept God's power to make the change. Whether it's the kleptomaniac or the homosexual, whatever the compulsion... God's grace is power to make the change.
And we need not follow blatantly immoral leaders either. We are living in the last days, just before we see the sure realization of heaven's glorious hope. Be faithful.